It could very easily be termed a mismatch, with Athleta having so much control in the game. The champions were a very subdued side, who conceded the rhythm of the match to their opponents, and never really troubled the Athleta rearguard. When it was allover, in the final session, and with Athleta tapering off, the Bupa young bench players were sent on court, and gave their side a more respectable score with their determination, which was missing in the previous sessions of play. Athleta are now a point behind the league leaders, Siggiewi, but have a match in hand.

The Violets were without Alan Borg and Albert Spiteri, but Robert Azzopardi returned, after missing the defeat by Depiro. Athleta had Addison Bonnici back, also absent the match before.

It was Bupa with the first hoop, but Athleta replied strongly, with a 10-0 run, as Omar Said and Michael Naudi sank their treys. Bupa rallied with a couple of hoops, but Athleta didn’t give them any respite, as they notched a further 11-0 run, with a second Said triple, and built up a solid advantage, in the opening quarter. Athleta were still drilling in their baskets in the second period, and they began with a sound 12-2 run, mainly from Naudi, a constant thorn right through the match, and Addison Bonnici. Bupa came more in the match, in the remaining time, with Marco Mercieca putting in his points, but Athleta could rely on their treys, with Naudi adding a further two, and in between, Said also sank his third triple. At the interval Athleta were fully on a hefty 52-24 advantage.

After the break the scoring did not continue at the same rate. The champions netted a brace of hoops, but Athleta produced another solid 13-0 run, and their treys increased, through Naudi and Said again, and they were joined by Cameron Doughty. Bupa had to improve in attack, as their defence was not coping well. Jean Paul Bonnici managed to net a triple for the Violets, but they were yet trailing badly, at 35-68. The last session opened up a little, with Bupa sharing the start, and Abraham Portelli putting in a trey. An 8-0 run lifted the champions’ tally, as Nikolai Vasovic and Tom Paris played their part, when they went on court. Athleta fell back to their long shots, and Said and Naudi once more found their mark. Bupa closed down the game with a 7-0 run, to ease their conscience a little.

Bupa: 7 M. Mercieca, 1 R. Azzopardi, 8 A. Cremona, 9 A. Portelli, 8 N. Vasovic, 8 T. Paris, 10 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, 7 JP Bonnici, 5 S. Schembri

Athleta: 33 M. Naudi, 5 C. Doughty, 2 E. Bezzina, M. Giusti, C. Galea, 19 O. Said, 2 C. Calleja, 20 A. Bonnici, J. Zammit, 4 S. Cassar

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef